Anchor



W. ALSTON Oct. 11, 1960 4 ANCHOR Filed March 24. 1958 W. ALSTON Oct. 11, 1,960

ANCHOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, Y1958 INVENTOR. W/L /A qTO/V mi Oct. 11, 1960 w. ALsToN 2,955,430

" ANCHOR Filed March 24,- 1958 s sheets-sheet :s

INVENTOR. W/LL/AM ALSTO/V i f f g 'r I1. l 0 4 M 33 5 Wm 7 faq r...

Patented Oct. ll, 1960 ANCHOR William Alston, 174 B St., Vallejo, Calif. Filed Mar. 24, 195s, ser. NQ. 723,407

Claims. (Cl. 61.' 53) The inventionv rela-tes to anchors designed for heavy duty permanent installations in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, bays, oceans and the like.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide an anchor which will have great holding strength in a permanent `installation as described and as needed in the construction and erection of bridge pillars, auchorages, andother underwater construction, submarine nets, salvage operations, and generally wherever a very heavy duty type of permanent anchor is required.

Another object of the ,present invention is to provide an anchor of the character above which may be made .up on ythe job from a length o f steel piling thereby minimizing the problems of remote manufacturing, transportation, and handling and delays occasioned thereby, and maybe 4easily and rapidly embedded in the earth oor of the water body using conventional pile driving equipment.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure .1 kis la perspective view of the ,anchor constructed inaccordance` with the present invention.

Figure 2 is `a perspective view of the, anchor taken from an opposite sideandshows the flukes of the anchor in partiallyopen position.

Figure V3 is a perspectiveyiew of the anchor in holding position.

Figure 4 is `a perspective View ofthe anchor in full holdingposition.

Figure 5 is a side` elevation ofthe anchor.

Figure 6 is another sideelevation oftheanchor.

Figure 7is a fragmentaryperspective view of one end of the anchor `sections `with connecting portions ofthe end shown in cross-section.

FigureS is `a fragmentary eross-sectionof Ithe lower end ofthe anchor.

Thetanchor ofthe present invention consists `briefly of Va plurality of pile sectionsll, 12, 13 and 14tting en d to end to. provide a continuouslength ofpiling for driving into the ground,4 an anchorli-ne.llconnectedfto one of the sections, anda pluralityof cables connectingfthe sections at predetermined points to cause their separation and transverse orientation as seen in Figures 3 ,and 4 upon upward. pulling of the anchor line ,16. As-a feature of the present invention, -aholding-line 18 is secured to the lowermost section 14 and extends upwardly therefrom centrally of the Asections landfunctions when taut as seen in Figure 1 to secure, the sections together against endwise:separation-during-the driving ofthe sections into the ground, the connection of theholding f lineto'the lowermosttsection beingformed for breaking after driving of the sections intoy the. ground` for .extraction of the holding line. -Thegactionof the Yholding line y1 8 is here facilitated `by theforming ,of kthe sections yof V.l-l-bearn cross-section soil-lat the sections provide k,at their corners 21,22, 23 and24, seeFigure 7,'afour point engagement for .Supportandfor drivingof these'ctions-asa length ofpiling. The-,holding gline ISeXtends longitudinally through one of the channels of the H-beam section and is Ithus located radially within the four corners of the sections so as to secure the sections together in rigid alignment.

In order to eiect the aforementioned crosswise orienta- Altion of the sections in response to an upward pull of the anchor line 16, the lowerend of the anchor line is connected by a pair of cables 26 and 27 to longitudinally spaced points 2 8 and 2 9 (ears) on Vone side 31 of the uppermost section 11 so as to cause the rotation of the uppermost section to a `crosswise position upon upward pulling of the anchor line. In a similar fashion a pair of cables 32 and 33 are used to connect a mid point 34 (ear) on the opposite side 36 of 'the uppermost section 11, see Figure 3, to longitudinally spaced points 37 and 38 (ears) on one side 39 of the adjacent lower section 12; a pair of cables 41 and 42 connect a mid point 43 (ear) on the opposite side 44 of section 12 to longitudinally spaced points 46 and 47 (ears) on one side 48 of 4the adjacent lower section 13; and a pair of cables 51 and 5 2 connecting the mid point 53 (ear) on the opposite side 54 `of section 13 to a pair of iluk'es 56 and 57 more fully described below.

As will be observed from the foregoing and from Figures 1 2 and 3 the cable connections are made 4alternately at opposite sides of the sections 1 1-14 so as to cause rotationof adjacent sections in opposite directions of rotation as depicted in4 Figure 3 to positions crosswise of the direction of pull of theanchor line. This alternate reverse direction of rotation is facilitated Vby the forming of the ends of thesections in alternately diagonal planes of opposite slope, see Figure 6. With referen ce to Figure 6 lit will be noted lthat the web 58 of section 11 is cut on `a downwardlysloping diagonal to the left as seen in the ligure, to define a biased lower end 59 for the section. The `web `61 of the adjacent lower section 12 is cut on the same diagonal so as to define a biased upper end 62 for section .12. In the opening up of the sections in the ground, section 11 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction as ,seen in Figure 6 whereas section 12 willbe rotated in a clockwise direction. Accordingly thelbias end,59 Vof section 11 and the bias end 62 of section 12 will be arranged to widen towards the bottom of thesections in a crosswise position of the sections as seen in Figure 4. Similarly the web 61 atthe opposite end 63of section 12 is cut on a diagonal sloping downwardly to the right asseen inFigure; the web 64 of the adjacentlower section 13 is cut on a diagonal to provide a mating upper biased end 66 ,for the section; and theweb 64 and the web v67 of the adjacent lower section 14 are cut on a diagonal downwardly sloping to the left asseen in Figure 6 to provide biased ends 63 and 6 9 for sections 13 and 14. The several cables are connected as aforementioned sovtthat in the opening up operation ofthe sections, section 13 will rotate Vin a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 6 so that its biased ends 63 and 69 will widen to the bottom of the section in the crosswise position of the section so as to provide ncomrnon with the other sections maximum holding power.

As another feature of the invention, the rigging of the cables are such as to produce an off-center twisting rotary action of the sections in moving to their crosswise position so as to present an optimum area of the sections in the direction of `pull of the anchor line. This is accomplished `as will be best seen inFigure 5 by arranging the connections of-the cables to the series of ears, as above-described, in offset relation to the center plane ofthe sections.

Asa further feature of the present invention the anchor is provided with a plurality of flukes 56 and 57' which are pivotally secured to the lowermost section 14, and the holding line 18 is provided with a first connection 71 to the flukes for holding them in closed position during thedriving of the sections into the ground; the holding line having a second connection 72 to the lowermost section 14 for securing the sections 11-14 in rigid alignment during ensuing driving action of the pile to open the flukes. This second connection 72 is formed for breaking after the opening of the ukes for extraction of the holding line preparatory to opening up of the sections. As will be observed from the drawings, the tlukes are here arranged as a horizontally opposed pair pivotally secured as by 4pins 73 and 74 at their upper ends to section 14 for swinging apart movement of their lower ends 76 and 77. To facilitate the opening of the flukes these lower ends 76 and 77 are divergently tapered as best seen in Figures 5 and 8 to eifect the opening of the flukes when released for opening by the breaking of the iirst holding line lconnection 71 and upon subsequent driving into the ground. Preferably a transverse pin 78 is secured to one of the ukes 56 and projects through a transverse opening 79 in the other fluke in the closed position of the fiukes as seen in Figure 8 so as to maintain the flukes in transversely aligned position during the driving of the flukes into the ground. As will be understood, if one of the flukes were to hit a hard object or the like during such driving action it would tend to hold up while the other fluke drifted down. The aligning pin 78 keeps the two ilukes in horizontal juxtaposition during the driving operation but does not interfere with the horizontal separation of the flukes upon breaking of the holding cable connection 71. The cables 51 and 52 above-described are connected at their lower ends to eyes 81 and 82 at the ends 76 and 77 of the ukes so as to hold open the ilukes upon separation of the sections as above described and as seen in Figure 4 of the drawings. Normally the pull of the anchor line is at an angle to vertical so that each of the cross member sections will pull into completely undisturbed earth as the anchor line pulls to its full holding position.

As will be best seen from Figures l, 2 and 8, the holding line 18 terminates in a lower loop 83 which is connected by the holding line extension 71 to the flukes 56 and 57, the line extension 71 extending through aligned openings 86 and 87 in the flukes near their lower ends where the end 88 of the line 71 is secured by means of a crosspin or bolt 89. The flukes are here preferably formed of opposed back to back channel-shaped crosssections with the back sides 91 and 92 of the linkes at the center plane of the assembly in the closed position of the ukes and with the open sides of the channel sections facing outwardly. This construction accomplishes two important results. First, by drawing the holding line 18 taut, line extension 71 will draw tightly against the center plane of the assembly so as to rigidly secure the flukes in closed position. Secondly, when the flukes move to open position., the open sides of the channel-shaped flukes will be disposed uppermost for providing a cup-like maximum resisting action to the upward pull of the anchor line.

The holding cable extension 71 is made somewhat lighter than holding line 18' so that after the anchor has been driven as a length of vertical pile into the ground, subsequent pulling of the holding line, or holding the holding line while driving the pile further into the ground, breaks the holding line extension 71 so as to free the flukes 56 and 57` for pivotal opening or separation of their lower ends 76 and 77. In order to hold the sections 11-14 in rigid alignment during this opening of the flukes, a second holding line extension 93, here providing 4the aforementioned second connection 72 is used and which is connected from loop 83 at the lower end of the holding line to an eye 94 provided on section 11. After full opening of the ukes, extension 93 is broken and holding line v18 may be extracted. To acomplish the foregoing it will be observed that holding line 18 must be heavier than either line extension 71 or line extension 93. For .example the main holding cable 18- may be one inch diameter steel cable and the line extensions 71 and 93 may be tive-eighthsof an inch diameter steel cable.

The anchor is now set and ready to perform its holding action. Pulling up of the anchor line 16 causes the sections to successively separate, twist and rotate towards a horizontal position as above described. The orientation of the parts may end up anywhere between their positions as shown in Figures 3 and 4, depending upon the amount of pulling force applied to the anchor line, it being observed that the anchor parts constantly orient themselves to improve the holding power of the anchor as greater pull is applied to the anchor line. At the same time the connections of the cables 51 and S2 to the eyelet 53 are such as to cause a relative rotation of the open ukes to a position crosswise of section 13 for maximum holding power.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, it will be noted that the H-beams are cut square across their flanges 96 and 97 so as to provide square seating and straight ahead driving force when the associated sections function as a single vertical pile. The webs 58, etc. are cut at a bias, here shown at approximately 35, as illustrated in Figure 6, so as to provide the bias section ends as above described. If desired, and as here shown, a series of U- shaped clips 100 may be provided at the corners of the abutting sections so as to retain the sections in alignment during the driving operation and during the breaking of the holding lines. These clips may be secured as by welding to the lower end of each adjoining pair of sections so as to slidably receive the flanges of the adjacent upper section.

It is quite feasible to make up the present anchor on the job site. A single length of H-beam may be cut as above described but preferably not completely through the full cross-section of the beam thus desirably leaving small connecting areas 101, 102, 103, and 104, see Figure 7, on the anges so as to leave the H-beam intact as a single length of piling for handling, picking up, etc. prior to driving into the underwater oor. Connecting areas 101-104 are preferably spaced inside the outside edges of the ange so that their final cutting, as by burning, will not impair the good solid four-corner seated position of the several sections on each other for straight ahead driving power. The connecting areas 101-104 should be suicient to permit complete handling and elevation of the beam. After all of the cables are properly attached, as above described, the H-beam may be lifted into vertical position for driving. Then, with the holding line 18 taut, the connecting points 101-104 of each of the sections may be cut loose and the length of piling driven into the underwater bed, as above described. As will be understood, the lateral pressure of the earth on the lsides of the unit also tends to hold the sections together during the ensuing driving action.

I claim:

l. An anchor comprising, a plurality of H-beam pile sections fitting end to end to provide a continuous length of piling and providing at their corners at least a fourpoint engagement for support and for driving into the ground, a holding line secured to the lowermost of said sections and extending longitudinally of said length of piling and in the channel of said H-beam Within the periphery defined by said corners and functioning when taut toA secure `said sections together in rigid alignment during the driving of said sections into the ground, the connection of said holding line to said lowermost section being formed for breaking after driving of said sections into the ground for extraction of said holding line, an anchor line secured to the uppermost of said sections at longitudinally spaced points and extending upwardly from said uppermost section for extension to an object raf-955,430

to be anchored :so as torcaufse said uppermost section to rotate to a p ositioncrosswise of the direction of pull of said anchor line, and a pair of cables connecting a mid point of Aeach of .said sections .topoints spaced longitudinally of'the .adjacent lower section with the connections being made alternately at opposite sides of said sections so as to cause rotation of adjacent sections in opposite directions of *rotationV to positions crosswise of the direction of pull of s aid anchor line Vupon *Vertical separation of said sections as occasioned by the' upward pulling of said anchor line.

2. An anchor as characterized in claim l wherein the connections of said anchor line and said cables to said sections are offset from the center plane of said sections to produce a twisting rotary action of said sections in moving to their crosswise position to present an increased area in the direction of pull of said anchor line.

3. An anchor as characterized in claim 1 and having a pair of horizontally opposed channel-shaped ilukes pivotally secured at their upper ends to the lowermost of said sections for swinging apart movement of their lower ends from closed to open positions of said ilukes, said holding line having a rst connection to said flukes to hold said ilukes in closed position during the driving of the aligned sections into the ground, said first connection being formed for breaking after initial driving of said sections whereby continued driving will eifect an opening of said ilukes, said lower ends of said ilukes being divergently tapered from each other to assist in ysaid opening of said flukes, said holding line having a second connection to said lowermost section for securing said sections in rigid alignment during the driving action to open said flukes, said second connection being formed for breaking after opening of said flukes for extraction of said holding line, and a pair of cables connecting said lower ends of said llukes to the adjacent upper section so as to effect the holding open of said llukes upon separation of said sections as aforesaid, the open side of the channel-shaped flukes being disposed uppermost in the open position of said flukes for resisting the upward pull of said anchor line.

4. An anchor comprising, a length of piling formed of a plurality of elongated sections having ends and sides and iitted together end to end for driving as a continuous length into the ground, slack lines connected to adjacent sections, each of said slack lines having one end connected to one longitudinally extending side of one of said sections and its other end connected to the next adjacent section, the slack lines of adjacent sections being on an opposite side of the next adjacent section, and an anchor line connected to one side of the uppermost section opposite to the connection of the slack line to the uppermost section, whereby upon pulling of said anchor line after the driving of said piling the sections are sequentially separated, reoriented and embedded with their lengths transverse to the direction of pull on said anchor line, the various sections being increasingly embedded according to the amount of said pull.

5. An anchor as characterized in claim 4, wherein said length of piling has Ia longitudinal channel therein, the combination also including, a holding line secured to the lowermost of said sections and extending longitudinally of said length of piling within said channel and functioning when taut to secure said sections together and against endwise separation during the driving of said sections into the ground, the connection of said holding -line to said lowermost section being formed `for breaking after driving of said sections into the ground =for extraction of said holding line.

6. An anchor as characterized in claim 5, whereinsaid anchor line is bifurcated and connected to -said upper'- rnost section -at longitudinally spaced points thereon, so as to cause the rotation of said uppermost section to a cross-wise position upon upward pulling of said anchor line, and wherein the slack lines connecting said sections comprise a .pairof llines connecting `the `mid-"point .of the upperl'of said ,sections to Vpoints spaced longitudinally on .the adjacent )lower section so as to cause the rotation ofthe `adjacent lower section to a cross-wise position upon verticalseparation Vof said sections as occasioned by the .upward pulling of said anchor line.

.7. anchor as characterized in claim 4, wherein said pilingis' formed .o f a l,plurality of HV-beam pile'sections with the channels thereof aligned to form continuous channels extending the length of said piling and providing engagement at each of the corners of said H-bearn sections `for driving into the ground, and a holding line secured to the lowermost of said sections 4and extending longitudinally of said piling within one of the channels thereof and functioning when taut to secure said sections together in rigid alignment during the driving of said sections into the ground, the connection of said holding line to said lowermost section being formed weaker than said holding line for breaking after driving of said sections into the ground yfor extraction of said holding line.

8. An anchor comprising, a plurality of elongated pile sections having ends and sides and fitted together end to end for driving as a continuous length into the ground, said sections having an aligned longitudinal channel formed therein, flukes pivotally secured to the lowermost of said sections, a holding line having a rst connection to said flukes and extending llongitudinally within said channel and functioning when taut to secure said sections and ukes in rigid alignment during the driving of said sections into the ground, the -said rst connection being formed for breaking after driving of said sections into the ground whereby continued driving of said sections will elfect an opening of said flukes, said holding line having a second connection to said lowermost section for securing said sections in rigid alignment during the driving :action to open said ukes, said second connection being formed for breaking after opening of said flukes for extraction of said holding line, slack lines connected tol adjacent sections, each of said slack lines having one end connected to one longitudinally extending side of one of said sections and its other end connected to the next adjacent section, the slack lines of the adjacent sections being on an opposite side of the next adjacent section, and an anchor line connected to one side of the uppermost section opposite to the connection of the slack line to the uppermost section, whereby upon pulling of said anchor line after the driving of said piling the sections are sequentially separated, reoriented and embedded with their lengths transverse to the direction of the pull von said anchor line.

9. An anchor as characterized in claim 8 wherein said flukes are arranged as an horizontally opposed pair pivoted at their upper ends for swinging apart movement of their lower ends, said lower ends being divergently tapered to effect opening of said flukes when released for opening by the breaking of said first connection and upon subsequent driving into the ground, a transverse pin secured to one of said lukes, the other of said lukes being formed with a transverse opening receiving said pin in the closed position of said flukes so as to maintain said flukes intransversely aligned position during driving into the ground in the closed position of said llukes.

l0. An anchor as characterized in claim 9 wherein a pair of slack lines connects the lower ends of said llukes to the adjacent upper section so as to eifect the holding open of said flukes upon separation of said sections as aforesaid.

ll. An anchor as characterized in claim 1 wherein the ends of each section are formed on converging planes inclined from the axis of said section to provide relatively lengthened and foreshortened fiat sides of said H-beam section, the slack line connection of each section to the adjacent upper section and the anchor line connection to the uppermost section being made on the foreshortened side of the section, and the slack line connection of each section to the adjacent lower section being made on the lengthened side of the section, whereby upon upward pulling of said anchor line the rotating lower end of each section during the reorientation thereof bears against the upper end of vthe next lower section and begins the rotating reorientation of said next lower section before the slack line connection between the sections has been tautened.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 756,805 Shuman Apr. 5, 1904 809,374 Holden Ian. 9, 1906 FOREIGN PATENTS 242,834 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1925 263,698 Italy July 29, 1927 

